>> i was surprised as juan and byron were and you and people watching. i agree with eric and byron. jim demint is a classic, traditional, barry goldwater, ronald reagan conservative republican. not the george bush compassionate conservative. he believes the states have a role in government. that the individual is greater than the state. that the government should shrink. he is now the most powerful republican in town. he has an extraordinary opportunity. this is not inside the beltway story. this is a jim demint is the leader of the conservative republicans in the country story. and they could haven't a nicer, more true to core values or more articulate spokesman than they have as of today. ask me if i'm happy. [ laughter ] >> bret: do you think he is using the platform to possibly run for president? >> well, i know he gave you that very typical humble and diplomatic answer. but i think a lot of people when they learn of his views and ability to articulate them will come to him. and ask him to run for president. he also will do something that very few other republicans will do. brin